What is OxyContin?
Introduced in 1995, OxyContin has been a preferred narcotic of abuse because it contains a significant amount of narcotic in it, enough to be slow released over the course of many hours. However, if the extended release content is tampered with in order to be injected, snorted or smoked, this drug becomes the most potent of all the opiates. Dependence on the drug follows within weeks and for many people addiction was the result.
Changes to OxyContin Accessibility
The why and the how
Why and how is the access to OxyContin changing? What happens to people who need to continue taking opiate medication?
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/drugs/ons/oxy_faq.aspx
Legislation
What changes are being made to the legislation of narcotics?
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/drugs/ons/ons_legislation.aspx
Ontario Withdrawal Plan
Ontario creates withdrawal plan for Oxycontin users
The government has devised a province-wide plan on how to wean Ontario users off OxyContin, after weeks of criticism for not being prepared to handle mass withdrawals.
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1144943–ontario-creates-withdrawal-plan-for-oxycontin-users?bn=1
Removing OxyContin may create new set of problems
Six provinces, at almost same time, announce restrictions on controversial drug
http://www.canada.com/Removing+OxyContin+create+problems/6234075/story.html
Changes to the Formulary
Oxycontin officially replaced by new drug
Oxycontin is no longer manufactured in Canada as of March 1, 2012.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2012/03/01/ottawa-oxycontin-off-shelf-pharmacy.html
OxyContin replacement still powerfully addictive: MDs
The makers of OxyNEO, the drug replacing painkiller OxyContin in Canada, say the new pill will prevent abuse – but doctors and people whose lives have been affected by the drug say the new pill is just as addictive.
http://winnipeg.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20120301/oxycontin-oxycodone-replacement-health-120301/20120301/?hub=WinnipegHome
Northern Opiate Addiction
Remote reserves say Ottawa‘s response to OxyContin crisis is inadequate
While the world was distracted by Attawapiskat, another desperate cry for help was getting little notice in remote northern Ontario, where addiction to the prescription drug OxyContin is devastating reserves.
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/health/Remote+reserves+Ottawa+response+OxyContin+crisis+inadequate/5930024/story.html#ixzz1plOCxMa9
Nothing in place to help addicts deal with OxyContin withdrawal, chiefs say
First Nations chiefs say they have implored the government to set up a joint provincial-federal treatment response program on reserves to deal with what they feel will be chaos now that OxyContin has been removed from the drug formulary.
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1138942–nothing-in-place-to-help-addicts-deal-with-oxycontin-withdrawal-chiefs-say?bn=1
ASAM Definition of Addiction
Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations. This is reflected in an individual pathologically pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors.
Addiction is characterized by inability to consistently abstain, impairment in behavioral control, craving, diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationships, and a dysfunctional emotional response. Like other chronic diseases, addiction often involves cycles of relapse and remission. Without treatment or engagement in recovery activities, addiction is progressive and can result in disability or premature death.
http://www.asam.org/research-treatment/definition-of-addiction
